Take Your Medications
Many people shudder at the notion of taking too many drugs, but when you have a thyroid condition, medications are essential. Without thyroid hormone replacement, your body cells can't function properly. And if you have hyperthyroidism, beta-blockers may be necessary to tame a rapid heartbeat. Once you take them for a while, you will experience the benefits of these drugs. The key to good medicine management is taking your drugs consistently and safely.
Be Patient
It can sometimes take a while for the effects of thyroid hormone replacement to kick in. In reality, the impact of these medications varies from one person to the next. For some people, the effects begin in just two weeks. For others, it might take six weeks before improvements are noticeable. It can also take months before you and your doctor pinpoint the best dosage.
Antithyroid drugs take time to work, too — sometimes several months. The drugs do not wipe out the excess hormone already produced before you started taking the medications. In the meantime, you'll still be dealing with the uncomfortable symptoms of both types of thyroid medications.
But be patient. Finding the best dose is a matter of trial and error. Remind yourself that at least you've been diagnosed and that relief is in sight. You will eventually find the right dosage.
Follow Safety Rules
Every drug has its own set of safety rules about storage, when to take it, and how to take it. Abiding by those rules, however, is your job.
Alert
If you have small children in the house, make sure to keep all drugs out of reach. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 53,500 children under the age of four were treated in emergency rooms for swallowing drugs not intended for them. Avoid calling medication “candy,” and discard unused pills in places your child can't get into. And make sure visitors keep drugs out of reach, too.
Before taking any medication, ask your doctor and pharmacist about side effects and potential interactions with foods and drugs. Then follow those rules, without exception. And remember to take your medication at the same time every day.
